Wilkersons carry on family tradition

He had no trouble spelling the name of his school, because it was named in honor of his great-grandfather, a former superintendent of the Conroe Independent School District.

"I felt proud that my great-grandfather had done so much for the community," he said. His older sister, Karen Wilkerson, 14, shared this sentiment.

"When I went to school there, everybody asked me if I was related to W.D. Wilkerson, and I told them I was. It was an honor. It's cool," she said.

The youngsters are the children of Dr. Mark and Karen Wilkerson of The Woodlands.

W.D. Wilkerson served as superintendent of schools in Conroe from 1949-1968, retiring after 47 years as a Texas educator. After graduation from Baylor University, he started his career in Calvert, heading the athletic program there.

Two years later, he accepted the post as superintendent of the Reagan school district. A newspaper quoted him as saying, "There I was, a 24-year-old with a new job, a new bride and a used Model T-Ford." From there he returned to Calvert as superintendent.

His next move was to Bryan, where he was superintendent from 1938-1949, before taking the Conroe assignment.

"When he came to Conroe, he was reported to be the highest paid superintendent in Texas; he made $15,000 a year," said his son, Dr. Walter Wilkerson Jr.

When attending Baylor, Wilkerson lettered in football, baseball and basketball. He played on Baylor's Southwestern Conference championship baseball team in 1923. His interest in sports continued throughout his career at Conroe, and he helped hire all of the sports coaches.

"My dad believed the classroom teacher was the basis for the educational system, and he interviewed every teacher the district hired," his son recalled. Each year,Wilkerson met all teachers and gave them a pep talk. He also made a visit to every classroom in the district sometime during the school year.

A strong interest in education is part of the Wilkerson heritage. Wilkerson's two brothers were school administrators, and his mother was reportedly the first female school board member in Texas.